7.17.2008  LSMS President Dr. Russell Klein: The voices of patients and their physicians were heard loud and clear this week, with Congress’ overwhelming vote to override a presidential veto and stop impending Medicare payment cuts to physicians. This vote assures continued access to vital health care services for Louisiana’s senior citizens... Unfortunately, congressional action this week does not address numerous flaws in the federal formula used to calculate physician payments for Medicare services. This reprieve is only a short-term fix for a complex issue, not a real solution. Read the entire statement.

7.18.2008  Louisiana ranked No. 45 in terms of Medicaid spending per enrollee, according to a report by the Foundation for Health Coverage Education, using data provided by the Kaiser Family Health Foundation. Louisiana spent $3,823 per enrollee, which is more than California, Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. For complete rankings, go to www.statehealthfacts.org.

7.16.2008  WASHINGTON- President Bush cast a futile veto on Tuesday, rejecting a bill that would protect doctors from cuts in their Medicare payments. But hours later, the House and Senate voted to override the veto, making the Medicare measure the fourth bill to become legislation over Mr. Bush’s opposition. Read the entire story by David Stout in The New York Times.  

7.16.2008  Development of a plan to implement a new health-care delivery system for the state's poor and uninsured is underway, state Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine said Tuesday.  Read the entire article by Marsha Shuler in the BR Advocate.

7.15.2008  The new state budget will prompt belt-tightening and potentially cuts in Louisiana’s health insurance program for the poor, elderly and uninsured, Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine said Monday. Gov. Bobby Jindal refused the addition of chiropractic services to the Medicaid program before he signed the $29.9 billion budget Monday after Levine said it would further aggravate the health care funding situation. Read the entire story by Marsha Shuler with the Advocate Capitol News Bureau.

7.14.2008  Dr. Anna Pou thought nothing could be worse than five days spent in a flooded hospital following Hurricane Katrina, struggling to keep patients alive and hoping for rescue. That was before she was arrested and accused of deliberately murdering four desperately ill patients. On Monday, Pou (pronounced Poe) credited that experience for new landmark legislation designed to protect medical personnel in Louisiana from civil suits and provide a board of professionals to review criminal charges. Read the entire story by Mary Foster with The Associated Press.

7.14.2008  Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced that he has line item vetoed 258 items in the state's operating budget for FY 2008-2009 (HB 1), accounting for more than $16.14 million in non-governmental and governmental projects. Governor Jindal's 258 vetoes in HB1 are more than double the vetoes for all the state's previous 12 budgets combined. See Veto Message No. 61 for details on chiropractor reimbursements. Read Governor Jindal's press release.